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Last month, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, our sister order of Franciscan women religious based in the United States, elected a leadership team. The new leaders will serve from November 2026 through 2030.
Sister Laura Nettles was elected FSPA President. Sister Laura currently serves on FSPA’s Leadership Team as a mission councilor. As president, Sister Laura is the official representative of the congregation. She takes office Nov. 1, 2026, with the newly elected leadership team.
Sister Laurie Sullivan was elected FSPA Vice President/Councilor. Sister Laurie currently ministers with WAFER Food Pantry in La Crosse, Wisconsin, as operations manager. As vice president/councilor, Sister Laurie will assist the president in governing, and assumes the duties of the president in the event of the president’s absence.
Two members were elected as FSPA Councilors, which, with the president and vice president/councilor, constitute the FSPA leadership team. The newly elected councilors are Sister Dawn Kutt and Sister Jacinta Jackson.
Sister Dawn currently ministers as FSPA Adoration Coordinator and Sister Jacinta is a clinical social worker and addiction counselor.
Considering the welfare of each sister and the corporate good of the congregation, the leadership of FSPA fosters the life and mission in the Church and in the world. They promote the congregation’s goals and provide for continual renewal so that the needs of contemporary society can be served.
The 2026 Election Assembly, held on July 24-25, was the 25th election assembly for the congregation since 1910. The new team takes office Nov. 1, 2026.
This election follows the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration’s organization-wide meeting, known as FSPA Mission Assembly, which was held in La Crosse, Wisconsin from June 8 to 10. Sisters gathered with affiliates, prayer partners, partners in mission (staff) and guests to discern the direction of the organization’s next four years. The assembly was themed “Hope in Uncertainty: What is ours to do?” The theme offered the chance for the FSPA community to pause and reflect on important questions: What are the needs of the world? How can the FSPA community respond to the needs with courage, compassion and hope?
What was seen and heard throughout those three days inspired the assembly, including the keynote address by Vanesa White, PhD. Dr. White called the congregation to employ the power of their Franciscan values while framing a Franciscan response in times of uncertainty. Her inspiration led to the direction for the next four years—committed to become a living source of hope for the world today:
FSPA 2026-2030 Direction Statement
Rooted in our Franciscan charism, we seek to become a living source of hope for the world today through prayer, service, love and joy. We commit to cultivating relationships that build up community through boldly practicing:
- Hospitality: Sharing with others the gifts of our presence, lands and sacred spaces so that those we meet feel welcome, seen and valued.
- Care for Creation: Recognizing that we are one family, intimately connected and in need of care, advocacy and justice.
- Solidarity: Risking for people who are pushed to the margins.
- Reconciliation: Courageously addressing the harms, historical and present, that call for truth, healing, repentance and forgiveness in the divisions in our world today.
This direction reminds us that uncertainty can create opportunities, that hope grows under the Spirit’s guidance and together we can accomplish so much.
Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration are vowed Franciscan women engaged in furthering the work of the Catholic church and the Gospel. Their partners in ministry, including affiliates and prayer partners, join them in service of God’s mission. Together, they collaborate to minister in areas of greatest need, living the Gospel through contemplation and action. Visit FSPA online at fspa.org.